Google GDrive cloud storage finally arriving next month?

[ShareShiz]

Google GDrive cloud storage finally arriving next month?
By Andy Weir

The launch of the service – widely believed to be called GDrive – would certainly be a welcome new addition to Google’s ecosystem, but the details of the offering sound lacklustre at best. GDrive will reportedly provide just 1GB of free storage, with larger storage options being available for users to purchase. Given that Microsoft’s SkyDrive offers 25GB of cloud storage free - with the promise of unlimited storage for Office documents and photos - this would appear to make the GDrive offering remarkably weak by comparison.

Google’s service will reportedly include a local client and web interface that is described as looking “much like the Google Docs interface”. Google will also provide an API to allow developers to extend GDrive storage to third-party apps.

A cloud storage service has always been a bit of a gap in Google’s ecosystem. The company has been working hard to better integrate its numerous services – for example with its unified cloud-based Google Play offering, and the decision to provide a single set of terms and conditions across its services – so the prospect of GDrive finally launching soon isn’t inconceivable. But we’ve been down this road before, and so far we have nothing to show for it, so don’t get your hopes up just yet.

But do you think GDrive even matters? Do you feel like it’s something that’s been missing from Google’s ecosystem so far? Have you already filled that gap with a rival service like SkyDrive or Dropbox? And do you think that the reported 1GB of free storage will be enough for most users of Google's services? Be sure to share your thoughts with us below.

... waits for Mr Happy's reply >_>

 

[MyDarkTower]

One gig is weak. Prices better not suck

 

[ShareShiz]

1gb is horrible. I have almost 20gbs on 3 of my dropbox accounts. and i have a 50gb box.net account but i dont even use box.

i feel google came in late with the cloud game by about 3-4 years.. or more.

 

[CyberPrince]

dropbox FTW!

 

[JGM]

If Google want a piece of this pie then they need to match at the very least what other services currently provide or do better.

JGM.

 

[Bretteo]

I highly doubt that they are going to join the scene this late and offer only '1Gig' of storage space.. google are smarter than that!

 

[Mr Happy]

It's reportedly 5GB but then if you did some basic research besides just copying and pasting the first article you came across you'd know this. Dropbox is only 2GB for starting so this puts Google ahead.

Obviously Google will have more storage than 1GB and to think not is foolish. This is one of the ways they won the email war with Gmail back 8-10 years ago with massive storage and how they will try the same again. Last time it was Microsoft, Yahoo, AOL etc who all had email. This time it's Microsoft (sky drive), Amazon, Dropbox and Box etc. It's the same thing all over again. If Google arrive and offer a better service because of all the money they have to throw at it they can easily become the best.

Online file storage is perfect for Google. It's an engineering problem just like Youtube. How do you store large amounts of data and let people access it everywhere fast. It doesn't have to be something social (which Google is poor at) or have a super interface like what Apple could do or engage with the music or film industry to gain access rights (like what iTunes, Netflix and Amazons LoveFile do). It's storing files. Now think Android and Chrome intergration and the one privacy policy they just added. Simple.

 

[Deadmau5]

i use Dropbox with more as 20Gb storage its a perfect tool.

and free =)<3

 

[Gonzo1136]

This could be potential backup for our stuffs...

 

[Bretteo]

Well duhhh....

 

[JGM]

I don't really use any of these since I keep all my stuff locally and make backups here on to other media. However, I do see how useful they can be especially in a work environment.

JGM.

 

[Bretteo]

I do just that too! but the advantage of storing something online is that you dont have to carry an external hard drive around to access it, not only that but you can access it from other portable devices with net access.

 

[JGM]

Yeah I can see why people use it for sure, though I only use an external HDD for large amounts of data (50GB upwards), the rest of the time I use a pen drive.

Anyway back on topic :P I think that Google doing this is a good thing since it gives end users more variety in terms of choice of service provider and generally speaking Google are good at virtually everything they do (granted there have been flops but I meant overall).

JGM.

 

[Deadmau5]

Given that Microsoft’s SkyDrive offers 25GB of cloud storage free

DropBox too

 

[soft2050]

IDrive , Box.com provides free 5GB of space and Skydrive as stated of upto 25GB. So even if google provides space of 5GB, wont eat the competition

Also i would be keen to know the individual file size limit that G-Drive would be providing. Hoping it wont be atleast like what Skydrive provides.

 

[MyDarkTower]

If Google was smart they would scale back their Gmail accounts to 1 gb of storage and then give out GDrive accounts at around 10-20 gigs (Free). Then you could tie in all your Google accounts in one spot. Giving the option to send all your Google data (Gmail,Gdocs.etc.etc) to GDrive from each respective program. IMO

 

[SplitIce]

Googles offering in this area will be interesting, they will have to offer something good to cut into the dropbox's already established market share. Additionally entering into the market just before windows 8 is released with integrated support for skydrive (I am guessing release isnt far away) is probably a smart decision as after the release users are going to be hooked on Microsofts new service and be reluctant to change.

It will be good to see some competition in this area, hopefully it will drive prices down and quality up.

 

[Deadmau5]

I will dont use it becouse Dropbox is offering 25gb for free.

Dropbox have nice tools why should people now use gdrive?!They can have on Dropbox 25GB for free